Tv Program Offers Asian Financial News

SINGAPORE — A Singapore-based broadcaster has gone on the air as Asia's first business and financial television network, but most home viewers here are beyond its reach.

Asia Business News has begun 18-hour daily broadcasts, offering financial news and analysis throughout East Asia using an Indonesian satellite, said Paul France, general manger of the broadcaster.

"Asia Business News distinguishes itself as an Asian-produced, Asian-based news service. Other regional broadcasters are producing their business news services from Europe or North America," France said in a statement.

But in Singapore, Asia Business News, or ABN, faces a limited market because of a ban on household ownership of satellite dishes, although financial institutions and embassies may have them.

A Singapore government official said it was necessary to keep out unwanted broadcast beams.

"We need to tread carefully in this area to keep out broadcasts which may purvey values and lifestyles which may be harmful or offensive in our multiracial and multireligious society," she said.